Israel’s American football team took the field last Thursday in Petah Tikva, and lost its first international match by a score of 49-6 to Maranatha Baptist Bible College Crusaders from Watertown, Wis.
According to AP, Israel’s 10-team amateur league is gaining audience interest. Last year’s Israel Bowl attracted more than 1,000 fans and was broadcast live on an Israeli sports channel.
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The Israeli league normally plays 8-a-side on a 60-yard field, but Thursday’s game was a regulation 11 versus 11 on a 100-yard field, which proved to be a challenge for the Israeli players.
Maranatha’s first touchdown came only 2 minutes after the opening whistle. Israel scored one touchdown, off a 76-yard pass in the second quarter.
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